■ MEDIA
Chinese journalists approved
Taiwan opened its doors to regional media outlets in China on Thursday, granting approval to a television station and a newspaper group from China’s Fujian Province to post journalists in Taiwan. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) gave a green light to the applications filed by DongNan TV and the Fujian Daily Group, allowing journalists from the TV station and from three affiliated newspapers of the Fujian Daily Group to cover news in Taiwan for up to three months per visit.
■ POLITICS
Lai visits protester
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip William Lai (賴清德) and legislators Twu Shiing-jer (??, Tien Chiu-chin (田秋堇) and Wang Sing-nan (王幸男) visited 80-year-old Liu Po-yan (劉柏煙) at National Taiwan University Hospital yesterday. Liu, who suffered second and third degree burns on 80 percent of his body on Tuesday after setting himself on fire in a protest at Liberty Square, was still in critical condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit yesterday, hospital officials said. DPP legislators donated cash to Liu’s family and told them that if they couldn’t afford the treatment costs, DPP members would help raise money. “At first, we were afraid [Liu’s family] would be offended by our visit, because we are DPP and Liu is not … But we felt we needed to [visit], especially since no one from the KMT went [to see him],” Tien said.
■ POLITICS
DPP official detained
Former Democratic Progressive Party legislator Lin Wen-lang (林文郎) was detained by Taichung prosecutors yesterday on suspicion of manipulating stock prices. Prosecutors were investigating another case of alleged stock manipulation concerning investor Chang Shih-chieh (張世傑) when they discovered Lin’s alleged crime. Prosecutors said evidence suggested Lin worked with Chang to manipulate the stock price of Ching Me Ke Long Chemical Co (金美克能化工公司), a cosmetics manufacturer. Prosecutors said Lin had given evidence on part of the case and they were trying to locate other potential witnesses and defendants.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
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